The Crown is back on our screens for its fifth and penultimate season. While, in the eyes of many, it was a rather lacklustre affair one cannot deny the stark resemblance of Elizabeth Debicki to her character, the late Princess Diana. When Emma Corrin was in the shoes of one of the most famous women to have ever lived, they too stole the show from accent to physical mannerisms, but there is one tool that has aided these two in becoming the Princess of Wales. Diana was known and beloved for her philanthropic work but was also loved as a style icon, from her youthful Sloane Square ranger moments to being an athleisure devotee in her final years.

Costume designer Amy Roberts said of the design process for this season’s Diana, “I do think each season has a different tone, different flavor,” which is clearly visible, particularly in one fashion area. Roberts took notes of Di’s real outfits and made sure to include her adoration of Dior’s Lady Dior handbag as well as her love of a graphic sweater. However, one signature look stood out in this season (and no, it wasn’t the revenge dress), it was Diana’s love affair with the matching skirt suit.

Sionie Roberts, the assistant costume designer on the production, said of creating Diana’s ensembles, “We put it all in, and then what comes out is just the essence of something and that’s what you work from — the essence and the muscle memory. ‘‘Did [Diana] wear it?’ becomes less the important question, but rather, ‘Do I believe that our Diana would wear that?’ And, this method worked. Every single one of Netflix’s Diana’s skirt suits feels authentic to her real-life counterpart.

Marrying into the British Royal Family in 1981, Diana was thrust into the fashion limelight with everyone noting what she was, or wasn’t, wearing. This was the 1980s, *the* time of power dressing and Diana took to it like a moth to a flame. While figure-hugging and sleek cocktail dresses would replace her love of big ballgowns with oversized sleeves, Diana never quite shook off her ardent fondness for a blazer and straight/pencil skirt combo. During her marriage to Prince Charles, Diana was often seen wearing a tweed medley from Chanel, the look becoming a part of her image. There was a sense of formality yet softness that these outfits provided, matching her public personality. However, her relationship with the Parisian brand

Would adapt after her divorce, with Australian designer Jayson Brunsdon saying that back in 1997 the Princess declared “‘No, I can't wear linked C’s, the double C’s”, seemingly referring to Charles and Camilla. She still wore the brand just without the noticeable branding.

As we all swoon over the marvellous creations of The Crown’s costume department, let’s take a look back at some of Diana’s best skirt-suit moments: